This is pretty much my favorite app. Oh and when you touch Santa’s face, he goes “ho, ho, ho”. And there’s music.

85 days, folks. 85 days.

My Mom took me to Colorado when I was 13. I spent the trip wanting to stay inside reading, cursing the existence of trees and fresh air. My Mom, God bless her, planned tons of fun things like white water rafting, hiking, horseback riding and I was all like “Ughhhh, nature…”

14 years later, my tune has changed (a bit) and I get it- mountains are awesome (and Mom, I am really sorry for being 13).

Park City, Utah was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. If there was ever a weekend to sneak away to the mountains for a yoga retreat, this was it. It hammered home the connection between the work I do on my mat and, well, everywhere else- the mind body connection is not to be underestimated and I got to work out both hard. I sweat more than I thought possible (hello 4 hour practice in 90 degree heat) and cleared out so much space in my head and heart. I feel amazing today and am going to try as hard as humanly possible to keep this zen (although I almost lost my shit when a guy cut the taxi line at O’Hare last night).

I give the highest of fives to Park City!

Slightly Insulting Chicago Posters…a little insult, a little (lotta?) truth. The one about the suburbs is truly my fear in life.

(Image via)

Baby in lobster costume.

(unknown photo credit but sent to me by a best friend who knows I won’t turn down a cute kid in a funny costume pic)

I am in Utah.

I don’t know why that feels like such an odd place to be. Maybe because I had never thought of coming here until this conference came up. But here, I am and here is gorgeous.

I am reading “The Alchemist” and the boy keeps relying on the concept that “if you want something badly enough, the universe conspires to bring it to you”. There are some very specific things I need right now, peace of mind on some issues weighing heavy on my heart being a big one. After driving through the brilliantly colored mountains from Salt Lake City to Park City, I am convinced that Universe conspired to bring me Utah.

Tricky, tricky that Universe.

I think it also brought me a huge jacuzzi, all to myself, perfect for midnight bubble baths.

Like I said- tricky, tricky…

And just like that, I knew I was in Bucktown:

But here’s the good news:

You guys- DAVID’S TEA! I have never seen this outside of Canada; I usually smuggle (aka pack it in my suitcase and claim it in customs) a few tins of this every time I go for work and when I realized I was nearly out of Goji Pop this morning, I got super sad face. Never fear- hippie Canadian tea is coming to Bucktown!!!

I started Brene Brown’s “Daring Greatly” tonight and if Ryan hadn’t gotten home from work early (which I was super excited about!), I would have stayed out on the porch all night. This view, that book… I just can’t get enough of either.

More to come on “Daring Greatly”- I think Brene is just outstanding.

All day, every day.

Happy Monday, all- a brand new week is ahead!

(image via W Hotel City Center)

The Christmas display is up at Bloomingdales Home. I repeat, the Christmas display is UP!

Today is awesome.

It’s all but official- Fall is most certainly here.

The chilly day, the soup I made, the pumpkin candle I bought, the run I refused to do outside because it was cold and instead went to Flywheel…all signs point to Fall.

I have sweaters and a new blazer on standby. Bring it on, autumnal equinox- I am ready for you.